NIEHAUS, Casper 1845-1936

NIEHAUS, OKKEN

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 11/9/2016 at 09:33:29

Casper Niehaus Dies Wednesday At Advanced Age

Casper Niehaus died at his home in Grundy Center at an advanced age. He would have been 91 the coming March.

Funeral services were held last Saturday afternoon, beginning with a short devotional meeting at the home and later services at the German Presbyterian church. The services were conducted by Dr. K. J. Stratmeier in both the German and the English languages.

There was special music by the ladies quartet. Six grandsons of the deceased served as pall bearers. There was a very large attendance at the church service.

The following obituary was read by the pastor at the church service:
Mr. Casper Niehaus, Sr., was born at Stapelmoorheide, East Friesland, Germany, March 20, 1845. October 16, 1879 he was united in marriage to Miss Johanna Okken, of Bunde. They emigrated to America in 1890. Living at first near Conrad, Iowa, they moved in 1903 to the place west of town now occupied by the son, John Niehaus. In 1913 they quit farming to move to Grundy Center, where they have been residing ever since.

While of very strong constitution, Mr. Niehaus was stricken with blindness twelve years ago. Through all these years of darkness that had befallen him he remained cheerful and friends rejoiced in his happy disposition. Some 15 weeks ago he had the misfortune of falling which resulted in the breaking of the hipbone leaving him an invalid from that time on. He bore bravely up under this new trial coming to him at his advanced age. But gradually he grew weaker and as the new year came on his strength waned more and more. He died Wednesday night, January 8, 1936, at 11:30 p.m.

He leaves to mourn his aged wife, Johanna Okken Niehaus, with whom he was privileged October 16, 1935 to celebrate the 65th wedding anniversary. Mourning his departure there are also the children, John Niehaus, Mrs. Cobus Koch, Reinbeck; Mrs. Peter Wolthoff, and Dick Niehaus. Two older children died while they still resided in Germany, a sister living at the age of 94 in Weener, East Friesland, Germany; 25 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends.

Mr. Niehaus united with the First German Presbyterian Church in 1904 on confession of faith and remained a faithful member throughout these years. In the years of the beginning of this church he served as a member of the board of trustees and made many calls and long trips to gather necessary funds to keep the organization going. His services, his friendship and cordiality will long be remembered. He loved also the word of God and continued his interest in the work of the church until the very last. Inasmuch as his eyesight failed him, his faithful wife gave him what might be called pastoral care in reading God's word to him as also the messages of the church paper. Mr. Niehaus was a man who will be missed by many.

Relatives from a distance who were here for the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. Albert Kuhlers and sons Albert and Carl, Mr. and Mrs. Hiko Kuhlers and son Henry, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Kuhlers, Mrs. Harm Dirks, all of Meservy, Iowa; Mrs. Frank Dunham, Marshalltown, Iowa; Miss Clara Koch, Roland, Iowa, Casper, Edward, Pearl, and LaVon Wolthoff, of LeRoy, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Reimer and son, of Traer, Iowa.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 16 January 1936, pg 6